Social media and addiction to our screens is impacting us more than ever in terms of culture, behaviour, thoughts and performance. Author of Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport, is an advocate of moderation which he describes as a thoughtful method to decide what tools to use, for what purposes, and under what conditions.

The computer science professor at Georgetown University spoke recently about the mental health crisis among young people that he attributes to the overuse of smartphones. Are we controlling our phones or are they controlling us? That’s the million dollar question we put to RTÉ presenter Claire Byrne.

Here, she gives us her experience of social media and raising children in the digital age.

Do your children use phones?

They are aware of YouTube, but as they have grown we have become more aware of the dangers of screen time and allowing them access to the internet. They are at a stage where they are young enough to allow us to pull the strings on that.

I am not really looking forward to the battles over phones and internet down the line!

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This is the first generation of children growing up in a digital world. Do you think parents are up to speed?

I am saying to myself to be more up-to-date and understand what apps are around, but that is easier said than done. Even now, I feel like a bit of a dinosaur but it is about still trying to stay up to speed.

All of the advice says that not knowing is no excuse.

What about you? Do you put your phone away going to bed?

No, it is beside my bed. I am terrible. I am able to admit it, hands up, and when I get those weekly reports about my phone usage it is disgusting.

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How much time do you spend on it?

It could be up to eight hours. I am embarrassed saying it. I am constantly trying to stay abreast of things for my work but I do need to sort that out. The fact that I am on my phone for eight hours a day is a disgrace.

When you go for dinner with family and friends, does it annoy you when people sit there on their phone?

I think that as table manners, you should put your phone away when you are out for dinner. We try not to have our phones on the table while eating at home.

I think it is crossing a line to do that. But, if I could get away with it then I probably would do it!

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